Leaping blenny
| Leaping blenny | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Blenniiformes |
| Family: | Blenniidae |
| Genus: | Alticus |
| Species: | A. saliens
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| Binomial name | |
| Alticus saliens (J. R. Forster, 1788)
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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The leaping blenny (Alticus saliens), also known as the jumping blenny,[2] is a species of combtooth blenny (family Blenniidae) in the genus Alticus.[3] There is some uncertainty as to whether it was first described by J.R. Forster in 1788[4] or B.G.E. Lacepède in 1800,[5] although Fishbase currently accredits it to Forster.[3] It was originally described as a member of the genus Blennius.
It is a tropical blenny known from the Pacific and Indian oceans, including the Red Sea, the Society Islands, the Ryukyu and Bonin Islands, Queensland, Australia; and the Mariana Islands. Leaping blennies have been recorded at a maximum water depth of 2 metres. They inhabit holes in limestone deposits in intertidal zones, and leap between holes when disturbed, earning them their common name. They are very social at mid-tide, using visual displays to warn off competitors and attract mates. Although they must remain moist to breathe, the blennies are able to breathe air, and avoid submersion by tide waters.[3][6]
Leaping blennies feed primarily off of algae.[7] They are oviparous and form distinct pairs when mating.[8] They can reach a maximum total length of 10 centimetres (4 inches).[3][9]
References
- ^ Synonyms of Alticus saliens at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Common names for Alticus saliens at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ a b c d Alticus saliens at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Forster, J. R., 1788 [ref. 1354] Enchiridion historiae naturali inserviens, quo, termini et delineationes ad avium, piscium, insectorum et plantarum adumbrationes intelligendas et concinnandas, secundum methodum systematis Linnaeani continentur. Hemmerde & Schwetschke, Halae. Enchiridion historiae naturali inserviens: 1-6 + 6 + 1-224 pp.
- ^ Lacepède, B. G. E., 1800 (20 July) [ref. 2709] Histoire naturelle des poissons. Histoire naturelle des poissons (Lacepéde) v. 2: i-lxiv + 1-632, Pls. 1-20.
- ^ "'Landlubber' Fish Leap for Love When Tide Is Right" at http://www.sciencedaily.com.
- ^ Food items reported for Alticus saliens at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Reproduction summary for Alticus saliens at www.fishbase.org.
- ^ Alticus saliens Archived 2012-08-01 at archive.today at www.fishwise.co.xa.
External links
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